Selena Press Review

Awards present challenges
High emotions, both negative and positive, highlight Tejano music’s night of recognition
AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN, March 25, 1996
by Cathy Ragland

…In spite of the obvious conflicts about the direction of Tejano music, this year’s awards presentation offered hope for the future of Tejano music in the success of Selena, the queen of Tejano music. A 61/2 minute tribute to the slain singing star was, without a doubt, the reason many people came to the awards this year. Produced by Austin documentary filmmaker Hector Galán, the video provided a sense of closure of the tragedy of Selena’s death and a commemoration of her legacy. She was celebrated for her beauty, modesty, pride in her ethnicity and contributions to the music and its growth. Viewers saw her as a young girl, whom her father Abraham described as having “perfect timing and natural talent,” and as a confident young woman, proudly embracing her roots while pushing open doors that once were closed to Mexican American musicians in both the English-language and Mexican markets.

In the end, the video seemed to offer up a challenge to the industry and Mexican Americans to carry on Selena’s dream.